The actor says he didn’t have enough talent or looks to make it big in B-town

On this day two decades ago a new Hindi film superstar emerged: Bollwood’s all-time favourite romantic hero Shahrukh Khan, who debuted with Deewana on June 25, 1992. On completing 20 years, SRK says he just “got lucky” and admits he has made mistakes all along.

“Twenty uninterrupted years of serving. Not enough talent or looks or game plan. Thank you all. I guess I got lucky, lucky to be working all the time,” tweeted Shahrukh. Superstardom, disappointment and controversies – Delhi guy SRK has seen it all in his celebrityhood. For him, it’s been two decades in Bollywood, but his tryst with showbiz began in 1988, the year he started his journey with TV series Fauji, after being trained at The Barry John Acting Studio. Next year, he featured in two successful shows, Circus and Doosra Keval.

If people loved his act on the small screen, he won hearts as a crazy lover in Deewana, in which he was competing with none other than Rishi Kapoor in the lead role. But lady luck was smiling on him and audiences loved his chemistry with the late Divya Bharti. The song Aisi deewangi dekhi nahin kabhi picturised on them became a chartbuster. Deewana turned out to be a huge hit at the box office, and won SRK a Filmfare best male debut award. There was no looking back thereafter – only more films, more hits, and more awards for Shah Rukh. His success earned him titles like – King Khan and Bollywood Badshah. He redefined the romantic hero in Hindi cinema with films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mohabbatein, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Kal Ho Naa Ho and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Shahrukh’s work profile is eclectic – he has played an obsessive lover in films like Darr and Anjaam, a villain in Baazigar, a warrior in Asoka, a modern day patriot in Swades, a superstar in Om Shanti Om, a don in Don: The Chase Continues and Don 2, and a superhero in his mega-production RA.One. At the peak of his career, he choose to go back to his roots – TV – in 2007 to host the third season of the game show Kaun Banega Crorepati?. He also hosted Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? (2008). He was last seen on small screen as the host of Zor Ka Jhatka in 2011.

After making it big in showbiz, he turned businessman by launching his production house Dreamz Unlimited with co-actor Juhi Chawla. He later dissolved it and formed a new production house, Red Chillies Entertainment. SRK invested in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), whose victory at the fifth IPL season was a silver lining for the star this year as lately, he has been a part of controversies. He got embroiled in a brawl with director Shirish Kunder and has been banned from entering Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium for five years over his alleged misbehaviour with security personnel and MCA officials.But later he admitted his mistake and apologised too. “Made mistakes, still continue to do so. A little madness. A bit of solitude. Too silly to realise it’s impossible and maybe that’s why it gets achieved,” he said.

“Mom said to only feel and say positive things. ‘Your Farishtey (angels) are always listening and fulfil your words.’ My Farishtey work overtime,” wrote the 46-year-old.

Now, one of the most lovable Bollywood actors is set to return to his lovey-dovey avatar with Yash Chopra’s next directorial venture. He will be seen romancing Katrina Kaif in it.